Bill’s childhood in Guelph could have inspired Norman Rockwell paintings. There were snowballs and slingshots, fire crackers and fake cigarettes, chasing girls with water snakes and being chased by the town constable on bike.
Bill’s father, Russ Bryden, was an Aggie who taught him to love the land and nurture its bounty. His mother, Tish Morrison, taught him to love people and do good by them. But Bill was not a softie. The third of his parent’s four children, after Lois and Jack, but before Jimmy, and not as tall as he wanted to be, Bill more than made up for height with heart and pure athleticism. He boxed, played baseball, football, hockey ¬and basketball. It’s said he never ran away from a fight. Later, that determination and sense of fairness served him well as a husband, father, coach, leading resource lawyer for Toronto law firm, Oslers.
Bill graduated with a geology degree from McMaster in 1947 and could have had a career busting rocks but he knew exploration work was incompatible with family life, and having grown up with love and security, he knew he wanted the same for himself. Margaret Morton made that happen when she married Bill in 1955, the year he made partner at Oslers. He credits Margaret with doing most of the work raising five great kids, and giving him the support he needed to help build the law firm and expand its culture and values. It pleased him immensely to be repeatedly recognized by his work colleagues.
Bill never strayed far from his agriculture roots. In 1967 he and Margaret chose a farm near Mount Forest over a cottage and for the next 22 years he was a weekend farmer helping Margaret and the kids raise shorthorn cattle. This led to volunteer stints with many organizations including the Ontario and Canadian Shorthorn associations and presidency of the Canadian National Exhibition (1996-98). After retiring and moving to Dufferin County, Bill continued to give back, volunteering with Hospice Dufferin. When his old sports injuries began to catch up with him, he and Margaret downsized and moved with their beloved golden retriever Abbie to Guelph, where Bill spent his last days in the shadow of his father’s alma mater.
Bill passed away peacefully on June 23 in his 91st year, in Guelph, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Margaret; children Catherine, Russ (Lea), Barbara, Rob (Kathy) and John; grandchildren Megan (Matt), Patrick, William, Garrett, Alexandra and Jacquelyn; and great grandson Rory.
The funeral will take place on June 28 at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, 1099 Gordon St, Guelph. Visitation at 10am, service at 11am followed by reception at the community centre at the Village by the Arboretum, Guelph.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
Bill had a nickname for everybody and saying for everything. He lived life passionately and believed if you caught the streetcar named desire, you were bound to do well. He’s riding it now.